Western appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1885-18??, 1887-06-18
CHURCH GOING.

Anna L. Dawes, the accomplished
daughter Of United States Senator Hen
ry L. Dawes, of Massachusetts, under
the query, "What do we go to church
forP" makes the following answer in
the Christian Union:
The faculty of reverence is said to
be particularly wanting in Americans.
1t the price we pay for our equality
of privilege. It does not seem neces-
sary, therefore, that we should foster
| and cultivate any excess of familiarity
with divine things. There is much
question of the wisdom, and even of the
propriety,of the fierce colloquialism Of
Sam Jones, and there is greater
Doubt of the value and real efficacy of
the Salvation Army. In whatever
light these agencies are held, their UNI
questioned irreverence is, at the best,
excused us definite means to an end.
1t is believed that the conservative
religious feeling of the community will
seize upon the result of their work, and,
surrounding those who have been per-
suaded to better living with an at
mosphere which is reverent as we'll as
religious, teach these children of the
Father to worship as well as follow him.
But what if the church itself knows lit
tie or nothing of the holy awe that
surrounds its God? What if the con-
sentative element of the religious world
is breaking down its own barriers, and
is, sometimes carelessly, sometimes
ignorantly, and sometimes of set
purpose, walking upon holy ground
with shod feetp
We cannot afford to loose the feeling
of conservation and especial sanctity
from our church buildings. The value
of surroundings is newly emphasized
just now in every other direction; but
while we are particular as to the
aesthetics of our music rooms and art
galleries, we are carefully ignoring the
kindred treatment of our churches. I
do not refer alone to the architecture
and decoration. True, it by no means
conduces to religious awe and con-
seriousness of the presence of God to
enter music hall, as one might say,
decorated in Moorish devices, wherein
the organ is the most prominent feature.
On the other hand, he who passes under
the portals of Trinity in Boston, and of
many another less conspicuous church,
must feel the spirit OF devotion fall
upon him.
But, however, this may be, a more
serious difficulty is the atmosphere of
the audience. Why are they here?
To talk, or to prayP To worship, or for
social intercourseP It would often be
hard to tell. A church was recently
recommended in my hearing something
after this fashion,: I like to go there
SO much. Some way, 1t aseve1. seems
like q church at all; everybody knows
everybody, and they just have pleasant,
friendly time. together" The italics
are mine. '.Itnever seems like church
at ALL is increasingly true of our
churches, and we seem eager to increase
the number Of such religious clubs.
| know a large and famous congrega-
ton which is as sociable as possible be-
fore the morning service. It is not
uncommon for the women to leave
their pews and go to that of friend
for a few minutes conversation. The
organ plays a cheerful, light sort o f
music as the people gather, and they.
greet each other with smiles and mods.
In another a regular levee of handshak-
ing and friendly conversation goes
on in the the aisles after service, and
here this habit is apparently cultivated,
to promote acquaintance. Quite in
the same line is the habit of giving in
vitations and arranging appointments
at that time. A stranger making his
slow way out of a crowded Washing
ton sanctuary-one somewhat noted
for its regard for forms and ceremon-
ies-heard several invitations to poker
parties before he reached the door, And
it is a perfectly common thing for that
opportunity to serve as the convenient
occasion for much small business in the
way of appointments, explanations, and
arrangements. One of the English mis-
sioners who was in New York last
winter has just spoken of this az a
prominent fault in our congregations,
greatly needing amendment.
'sThe Lord is in his holy temple,'' but
we shall hardly keep silence before
him" when we come from the morning
paper into anapartment where we meet
our friends, discuss our every day
affairs, and settle in our pew, bowling
the head perhaps for a hasty prayer,
but raising it for a longer chat with
our neighbor on the last engagement
or something else as homogeneous.
The hymns, the prayers, the sermon,
may have moved us strongly and deep
", even into the springs of action, but
what becomes of the subtle spiritual in
huence if we hurry from the benedic-
ton across the church to fix date for
next weeks excursion, or to renew an
acquaintance with a stranger tempo
rarily in town. 1t is a well-knoWn
complaint that church is too cold,
does not treat strangers well. 81 went
there year, and no one ever shook
hands with me"-a curious evidence of
the entirely secular atmosphere which
is coming to be expected Of churches.
If philanthropy is their chief end, then
shaking hands and sociability should be
made even more prominent. If the
cultivation and growth of religion is
their chief object, then let us worship
in the temple, rather than make it a
place Of even social merchandise.
shall doubtless be answered that religion
and brotherliness go hand in hand,
that Christ came to teach love to man
as well as love to God. This is quite
true, but he taught love to the brethren